SCSO Arrests Three on Child Molestation, Other Charges

A multi-agency child abuse investigation in Stephens County leads to three arrests.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, the investigation involved his office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

Shirley said the investigation took about three weeks and resulted in arrests last month.

“Three individuals in Toccoa had allegedly committed child molestation and offered marijuana to a 13-year-old child,” said Shirley. “Once the investigation started, the GBI was able to exchange e-mails with one of the suspects, Willie Grady Newkirk III. Once the e-mails were exchanged with the undercover officer, Newkirk agreed to meet the undercover officer who was posing as a 13-year-old in Stephens County. Once they met, he was subsequently arrested.”

According to Shirley, Newkirk III, 36, of Toccoa was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Child Molestation, as well as charges of Child Molestation and Aggravated Sexual Battery.

Shirley said authorities then arrested two other people a couple of days after that initial arrest.

The sheriff said Casey Jonathan Norris, 38, of Toccoa and Jessica Joy Sparks, 31, of Toccoa were arrested.

Norris is charged with three counts of Aggravated Child Molestation, Child Molestation, Distribution of Marijuana, and Cruelty to Children – 1st Degree.

Sparks is charged with two counts of Aggravated Child Molestation, Distribution of Marijuana, and Cruelty to Children – 1st Degree.

Shirley said all three defendants are being held without bond in the Stephens County Jail.